Case

Case of Captain Duncan McNeill, who has recently developed giddiness, flying pains, palpitations and other fearful symptoms. By Spring 1785 he is found talking to himself and admits to being 'fearful of losing his Reason'.

Normalized Text

Having considered very attentively the whole
of the information I am of opinion that his ailments
depend entirely upon a disorder of his nerves which
is a very troublesome but not a dangerous disease.

The remedy that will be of the most ser¬
vice to him will be Riding on horseback and
this he should practise for some hours every
forenoon that the weather will admitt of it.
A day of constant rain is to be avoided but the
possibility of an accidental shower should
not keep him at home providing he can avoid
being very wet or being long in wet or even
damp Cloaths. Besides Riding he should fre¬
quently walk out and if he has any sort of
business to look after he will be the better
for it.

[Page 2]

In diet he may take a bit of any plain food
he likes best but he should avoid broth especially
that with barley and greens and he should otherwise
be very sparing of greens, roots or other garden
things.

If he is disposed to Costiveness he should for
his drink at meals take Porter mixed with two
parts of water but if he is not disposed to be
costive plain water will be a more proper drink
for him. If he has been in the use of taking
a little strong drink every day he may continue
to take at his meals two or three glasses of red
Port or of punch without souring but with
respect to both he must be extremely moderate
for the least excess will do him much harm.

I expect his health will be much relievd
by the above regimen but I think his recovery
will be also much assisted by the medicines

[Page 3]

prescribed in the inclosed paper. The directions for
their use are written on the same paper and whatever
apothecary you employ to prepare them will give
you the directions along with them.

You have told me nothing of the state of your
bowels and therefore I hope your stools are regular
but I must tell you that Costiveness will increase
all your Complaints and should therefore be obviated
or removed and I suppose any Practitioner in
your neighbourhood can direct you in this matterthis matter or if my advice be necessary
you shall have it.

Diplomatic Text

Having considered very attentively the whole
of the information I am of opinion that his ailments
depend entirely upon a disorder of his nerves which
is a very troublesome but not a dangerous disease.

The remedy that will be of the most ser¬
vice to him will be Riding on horseback and
this he should practise for some hours every
forenoon that the weather will admitt of it.
A day of constant rain is to be avoided but the
possibility of an accidental shower should
not keep him at home providing he can avoid
being very wet or being long in wet or even
damp Cloaths. Besides Riding he should fre¬
quently walk out and if he has any sort of
business to look after he will be the better
for it.

[Page 2]

In diet he may take a bit of any plain food
he likes best but he should avoid broth especially
that with barley and greens and he should otherwise
be very sparing of greens, roots or other garden
things.

If he is disposed to Costiveness he should for
his drink at meals take Porter mixed with two
parts of water but if he is not disposed to be
costive plain water will be a more proper drink
for him. If he has been in the use of taking
a little strong drink every day he may continue
to take at his meals two or three glasses of red
Port or of punch without souring but with
respect to both he must be extremely moderate
for the least excess will do him much harm.

I expect his health will be much relievd
by the above regimen but I think his recovery
will be also much assisted by the medicines

[Page 3]

prescribed in the inclosed paper. The directions for
their use are written on the same paper and whatever
apothecary you employ to prepare them will give
you the directions along with them.

You have told me nothing of the state of your
bowels and therefore I hope your stools are regular
but I must tell you that Costiveness will increase
all your Complaints and should therefore be obviated
or removed and I suppose any Practitioner in
your neighbourhood can direct you in this matterthis matter or if my advice be necessary
you shall have it.